A time of grief in Thailand
As you all have seen in the news, there was a terrible mass killing in Northeast Thailand this week. A man who was dismissed from the police force last year entered the nursery where his son attends and he attacked the teachers and children ages 2-5 years old. Only 23 of the usual 90 children were there because flooding from rain and a mechanical breakdown of the school bus prevented most from being at school that day. Of the 23 children present, only 1 survived.
The killer then drove to his house, taking the lives of his son and wife before committing suicide. A total of 23 children and 13 adults were killed as well as many other were injured. It has been a time of deep national grief. Mass killings are a rare occurrence in Thailand.
We know many of you have been praying and we appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Director of the Abundant Life Financial Training Program, Ratchada "May" Kuntisa, graduates.
May began serving on staff with us many years ago as a Thai language tutor for new missionaries, and then was promoted to serve with us as a translator and then as Director of the Abundant Life Financial Training Program. May has overcome great difficulties that would have crushed most people. One of the first ones to take notice of the great potential in May was a short-term missionary who served with us at Blessing Home Pattaya named Katie Bredesen. Katie chose May (and a few others) to receive a college scholarship for one year. (Thank you, Katie!)
Since then, May has continued her education and has now completed her B.A. degree in Information Science. What is incredible is that she accomplished this while raising her own three children as well as being the guardian of her nephew and taking in her sister-in-law and her son. In May's household eight people live in a small townhouse, and the only time she has to study is in the middle of the night. All this while working full-time too. It is very rare in Thailand for a mother to graduate from college with a B.A. degree, but to have a mother with 4 children in her household to accomplish this is incredible.
Construction of the Church building at the Abundant Life Training Center begins.
Above is the picture of Sherri, May, Khun Ai (the general contractor), and Teddy (May's husband and full-time Thailand NOW team member) signing the contract to begin construction on the church building for the Abundant Life Financial Training Program. May and Teddy will sign a separate contract to build their home on a corner of the training center land.
The day after signing the contract, construction began. Below are some pictures of piledriving reinforced concrete columns into the ground. These columns will prevent keep the foundation from sinking, shifting, and cracking.
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Giving stock is a great way to make an eternal difference in the lives of Thai people. Stock shares can be transferred directly to Thailand Now and can have more tax benefits for the giver and the recipient. Please contact our treasurer via email at terrigabe@windstream.net if you are interested in giving this way.
Estate Donations - By including Thailand Now as an additional beneficiary in your estate plan, you can have a huge impact on the mission of reaching Thai people for Jesus Christ. Thailand NOW's tax ID number is 27-2388347. Your financial advisor or tax attorney can best assist you in making these arrangements.
